Cherokee County Family Life

Thursday, February 6, 2014

During the month of February Teresa Goley will be conducting classes at Moog Components during both employee lunches. The focus of the presentation is 15 minute recipes. Participants are given a folder with the recipes that will be featured in the February classes. The Cooperative Extension Lunch programs are part of the Moog wellness plan and are available to all Moog employees.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Every year since 1963, May has been the month to appreciate and
celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their
contributions and achievements. It is a proud tradition that shows
our nation’s commitment to honor the value that elders continue to
contribute to our communities.
This year’s Older Americans Month theme—“Unleash the Power
of Age!”—emphasizes the important role of older adults. This May,
communities across the nation will recognize older Americans as
productive, active, and influential members of society.
Older Americans Month celebrations will acknowledge the value that
older adults continue to bring to our communities by making an effort
to applaud recent achievements of local elders and inviting them to
share the activities they do to unleash the power of age.
Cherokee County Cooperative Extension encourages you to take part
in the celebrations by sharing your Older Americans Month resolutions
with the U.S. Administration on Aging. Post what you will do this May
to unleash the power of age on the AoA Facebook page, and follow up
by sharing a picture or story about the experience later in the year.
While Cooperative Extension provides services, support, and resources
to older adults year-round, Older Americans Month is a great
opportunity to show special appreciation! We will continue to provide
opportunities for elders to come together and share their experiences
with one another, as well as with individuals of other generations.
To learn more about activities and events planned for Older Americans
Month, or to find ideas about what you can do to unleash the power of
age, contact Cherokee County Cooperative Extension at 864-837-2210.
The three local Senior Centers, Penland, Andrews, and Hiwassee Dam,
also have ongoing programs for the older residents of Cherokee County.
You might also contact your local Area Agency on Aging office by
visiting www.eldercare.gov or calling 1 (800) 677-1116 to find ongoing
opportunities to celebrate and support older Americans.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

The Cherokee County Extension and Community Association was host to the West District Spring Activity Day on May 10th at the First Baptist Church in Murphy. Sue Rhodes, the West District ECA president presided over the meeting that focused on the theme “Make New Friends, Cherish the Old.” Mayor Bill Hughes welcomed the group as well as Dan Smith, the West District Cooperative Extension Director. Teresa Goley, Cherokee County Family and Consumer Sciences agent, provided a brief discussion of the health benefits from eating a rainbow of colors. There was also a silent auction and door prizes during the meeting. West District ECA members also submitted a multitude of beautiful items for the Cultural Arts contest. Cherokee County won a total of eight ribbons! Congratulations to the ECA members of Cherokee County!
Barbara Lovingood won Best of Show.
Carolyn Willer created this beautiful basket.
Ethel Fisher made these beautiful Christmas ornaments.
A bouquet of flowers was placed in memory of deceased ECA members.
A table of fresh fruits and vegetables carried the theme of eating a rainbow of foods.
Helen Dockery made these beautiful pillowcases.
Madelyn Rose won a blue ribbon for this beautiful quilt.
Ann Mingus won a red ribbon for her quilt.
Robin Johnson created this cute and colorful bear.
Every table was decorated with beautiful spring flowers.
Glenda Sneed won with her beautiful oil painting and painted gourd.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

The following pictures are from the Agriculture Learning Center Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less group that met from January 19 until March 26, 2012. The group lost a total of 60 pounds with Linda Michel winning the award for the most weight lost at 12 pounds. In addition, Linda Michel and Debbie Reeves also received good reports from their doctors with their blood work reports. Linda's blood sugar level had improved to the point where her diabetes medication could be reduced. In addition to her weight loss,, Debbie Also improved her cholesterol readings, her blood pressure and her triglyceride levels. Pictured Left to Right front row: Diane Kimbrell, Teresa Goley, Cathi Klopping
Back Row: Linda Michel, Wanda Matthews, Barbara Parrado, Debbie Reeves, Janet Motts, Margie Brownback. Not pictured: Sue Cubulus

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Looking back over Cherokee County’s recent experience with a category 2 tornado, it seems that many people may think that they are safe from similar storms for a while. We have all heard the old saying, “lightening never strikes the same spot twice.” What about feeling that we are safe since the last significant tornado was in 1974? Keep in mind that many residents in the Chattanooga area were just finishing up with their rebuilding efforts from storms that ravaged the area in 2011 when they were struck again with severe weather last week. In short, it could happen again and it is in everyone’s best interest to take precautions now, even if your property was spared damage from last Friday’s tornado.

According to Extension.org, a compilation of sound advice from many experts across the country, there are many things that we can do to protect ourselves in the event of future storms. Extension.org has an extensive assortment of helpful websites. A few selected articles that seem particularly relevant to our area are highlighted below. EDEN, extension disaster education network is one such resource. “EDEN works through extension educators, specialists to assist citizens throughout U.S. Whether it’s the devastation of deadly tornadoes, the toll taken by flooding, or the wrath of wildfires, disasters take a huge economic and personal toll every year. A network of educators throughout the United States is working to help citizens better prepare for, and recover from disasters.”EDEN is a partner with the United States Department of Agriculture, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters.More information about EDEN is available on the website http://eden.lsu.edu or by contacting Morgan at 334-844-5699 or morgamv@auburn.edu or Steve Cain at 765-494-8410 or cain@purdue.edu.

Considering Cherokee County’s recent tornado now is the time to make a plan-just in case.First and probably the easiest precaution would be to make your own “Grab and Go” box. “Use a durable, sealed waterproof box or backpack. Put in copies of everything that is in your emergency file, and add other important papers:

• Medical prescriptions, including eyeglasses• Copies of children’s immunization records• Copies of all insurance cards and policies• Copies of the back and front of your credit cards• Cash or traveler’s checks for several days of living expenses (credit cards may not work)• Rolls of quarters (banks might not be open for several days)• List of bills and when they are due• Copies of the tax form 1040 for the last three tax years• Copies of your home inventory list, which should include everything you own with serial numbers and purchase prices as well as photographs and/or video of these items• Copies of any wills, durable powers of attorney, deeds, marriage certificates, military discharge papers, divorce papers and birth certificates”If your home was built before building codes were initiated in the county, a closer inspection might be advisable. Most existing structures can be reinforced to protect against structure shift or to keep the roof intact in the event of damaging winds. Apparently gable walls are a particularly weak point in most buildings. “Gable walls must be able to withstand considerable pressure in high-wind storms. They are weak points in many homes. Reinforce gable end walls by bracing the gable wall to the attic floor.” Extension.org gives the reader excellent information on these two topics as related to reinforcing your home. Check the local building codes for area requirements at this time if you have questions about reinforcements.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Teresa Goley and Grady Norton preparing Caribbean Casserole at the Meal Planning Class held each Thursday at the Hiwassee Valley Pool and Wellness Center.Each week a dish is featured demonstrating a healthier food preparation technique. This week's lesson focused on using beans as an economical meat substitute.